Richmond SPCA to serve as hub for evacuated dogs, cats after Helene devastates North Carolina
Oct 01, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond SPCA will serve as a "hub" for dogs and cats evacuated from North Carolina in the aftermath of Helene. The shelter will receive a transport on Tuesday night that has about 140 animals on board.
On the night of Tuesday, Oct. 1, a transport coordinated by the BISSELL Pet Foundation will arrive at the Richmond SPCA carrying 50 dogs and 90 cats displaced after shelters in western North Carolina became overcrowded by the effects of Helene's damage.
According to the Richmond SPCA, these animals were largely evacuated from the Yancey County Humane Society -- a county close to Asheville, a North Carolina city widely reported on after it was devastated by Helene. Additional dogs and cats were evacuated along the way as area emergency services requested their transport.
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Not all of the over 100 animals will remain with the Richmond SPCA. Some will be accepted by other Virginia partners, who will also be there to greet the transport when it arrives at the Richmond shelter Tuesday night.
If you're interested in helping animals displaced by Helene, a volunteer will be traveling to the affected area on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and taking donated supplies to shelters there.
The following items are needed:
Cat carriers
Light blankets
Bath towels
Nonperishable human food
Small bags of cat and dog food
Jugs of water
Should you wish to donate, you can bring them to the Richmond SPCA, located at 2519 Hermitage Rd., either before 7 p.m. on Tuesday or between 8 and 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
This is not the first time this year the Richmond SPCA has been involved in aiding animals displaced by severe weather events. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby, the Richmond SPCA took in several animals in need.